SON OF A CRITCH - MARK CRITCH, MALCOLM MCDOWELL and BENJAMIN EVAN AINSWORTH INTERVIEW

Canadian comedic treasure Mark Critch has taken his hilarious and heartwarming autobiography to the next level!

The new primetime comedy series SON OF A CRITCH is coming to CBC in and is based on Mark Critch's best-selling novel of the same name.

The series stars an incredible ensemble cast, featuring Mark Critch playing his own father and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Pinocchio, The Haunting of Bly Manor) as young Mark. Claire Rankin (Molly’s Game) plays Mark’s mother, and Golden Globe nominee Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange - this year also marks the film's 50th anniversary), stars in the show as "Pop". This series is co-created and written by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe. Additional cast members include Claire Rankin (Molly’s Game) as Mark’s mother, Mary, alongside newcomers Sophia Powers and Mark Rivera, classmates of young Mark.  The show is created by Critch and Tim McAuliffe (The Office (U.S.), Last Man on Earth) and produced by Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek).

Filmed on location, the series takes a look at the very real story of 11-year-old Mark coming of age in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the 80s. It’s a heartfelt window into the life of a child - much older inside than his 11 years - using comedy and self-deprecation to win friends and connect with the small collection of people in his limited world.

Assembling this cast has been a dream come true for Mark Critch. The funnyman known best for his years on "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" never in a million years dreamed that veteran actor Malcolm McDowell would be playing his grandfather in a Canadian series airing on the CBC.

Even Mark's childhood house was recreated for the series. “It was very strange,” Critch says of being on the set of the television show for the first time. His family home, torn down in the 1990s, was recreated from his sketches and memories. And parts of his wardrobe, as Mike Sr., were his father’s.

"Son of A Critch" will mark its debut on Tuesday January 4th at 8:30 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

I caught up with Mark Critch, Malcolm McDowell and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth via ZOOM to discuss the series.